Washington @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( May 14, 2013 ) Washington 0, LA Dodgers 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation needs help and they are hoping Zack Greinke can provide some. The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner will return from the disabled list and start Wednesday when the Dodgers host the Washington Nationals in the finale of their three-game series. Greinke has been out since breaking his collarbone in a bench-clearing melee involving Carlos Quentin and the San Diego Padres on April 11. Los Angeles has three wins in its last 12 games.

The Nationals lost 2-0 on Tuesday without right fielder Bryce Harper, who ran full speed into the wall Monday and suffered a cut on his chin with required 11 stitches to close. Harper, who missed time earlier this season with a rib-cage injury after crashing into the wall in Atlanta, did not suffer a concussion and X-rays on his jammed shoulder came back negative. The 20-year-old also bruised his neck and knee while chasing A.J. Ellis' triple in the fifth inning and is listed as day-to-day.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Ross Detwiler (2-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (1-0, 1.59)

Detwiler snapped a three-start losing streak when he yielded two runs in 6 2/3 innings in Washington's 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The 27-year-old St. Louis native was aided by a curveball that he hasn't thrown much this year. Detwiler has recorded five quality starts in seven outings this season, but has allowed 50 hits in 42 2/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and .205 batting average against in four appearances (three starts) against Los Angeles.

Greinke pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings in winning his season opener and was leading 2-1 in the sixth inning when he hit Quentin with a pitch, triggering the brawl. The 29-year-old Orlando, Fla., native made one pain-free rehab appearance at High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday and yielded eight runs (three earned) and six hits while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. Greinke is 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA in two starts against Washington with 15 strikeouts in 14 innings and a 0.64 WHIP.

WALK-OFFS

1. To make room for Greinke, Los Angeles is expected to place Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list. Beckett is reportedly battling various minor undisclosed injuries - including a groin ailment, but the biggest pain for the Dodgers is his 0-5 record and 5.40 ERA.

2. Washington fell to 4-18 in its last 22 games at Dodger Stadium.

3. Los Angeles CF Matt Kemp extended his hitting streak to 13 games by going 1-for-4 on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Dodgers 5